inclusion tennessee, Nashville, TN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | FOUNDER                                                                                              2019 to Present

Led the organization’s strategy for growth, including the implementation of a strategic plan from startup phase.

• Developed a programmatic vision, direction, and management to present strategic plans for organizational impact framed around the organizational program pillars of Gather, Flourish, and Embrace. Developed the program pillars for the organization based on two years of comprehensive statewide community research. 

• Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with local, statewide, and national partners engaged in work that aligns with organizational vision and mission. Developed a statewide coalition of LGBTQ+ leaders to create a more collaborative approach to the unwelcoming political behavior in Tennessee. 

• Prudently directed resources and managed all organization financials within budgetary guidelines and under current laws, regulations, and non-profit best practices. 

• Inspired a professional, results-driven environment across the organization. Supervised, motivated, and evaluated four staff members, while delegating to and sharing responsibilities; ensured that there were well-defined goals and benchmarks for each employee.

• Served as an articulate and enthusiastic spokesperson for the organization’s mission and programs to a variety of audiences, including press, media, large in-person events, and more. Extensive public speaking + media experience. 

• Extensive experience with issue advocacy work on a Statewide level focused on community building, engagement, and activation. Organized an extensive Queer the Vote statewide initiative for voter registration and GOTV, a Trans Youth support program in response to bills filed against the Transgender community, and efforts to support diverse communities with a commitment to building a Tennessee for all.

• Launched a Shopify retail presence supporting local and statewide creators and makers. Developed a business model that would support the work of the organization through a retail presence.  

• Served as the only person responsible for development within the organization, responsible for raising the budgetary needs of the organization. Experience in development, sourcing new relationships, and grant writing experience. Participated in multiple educational initiatives for training on grant writing, capital campaigns, and development/fundraising strategy. 

• Supported board development, supporting board functions, and preparing and delivering comprehensive results to Board Members. Launched the development of a comprehensive community advisory board and volunteer network utilizing Mobilize and similar tools. 

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE, NASHVILLE, TN Mar 2022 - Nov 2022

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST (Contract Role)

• Support the Director of Marketing and Communications in the development of internal and external agency-wide communications strategies designed to engage donors, volunteers, families, youth, partners, Board of Directors, employees, community, news media, influencers, etc.

• Develop and maintain the monthly editorial calendar inclusive of all types of communications, platforms, channels, and stakeholders. Ensure communications are developed with a consistent focus on amplifying agency impact and optimizing stakeholder engagement

• Created, wrote, edited, curated, and published engaging and timely content in accordance with brand guidelines, agency voice, and messaging across a wide variety of mediums, including press releases, talking points, memos, emails, digital and social content, newsletters, mailers, infographics, presentations, etc.

• Partnered with the Director of Annual Giving and Director of Volunteer Recruitment and Community Engagement to support content and communications needs around individual giving, event, and volunteer recruitment initiatives.

THE ADECCO GROUP, NEW YORK, NY

SENIOR MARKETING STRATEGIST 2021 - 2022

Contract role supporting an agency in marketing strategy, paid media, + operational efficiency.

• Built and executed multiple comprehensive omnichannel media strategies for a multi-state power utility operator. Campaigns focused on a variety of verticals including: electric vehicles, small business, large industry, + education.

• Led strategic planning for community marketing strategy for an independent power utility company with a focus on driving awareness about electric vehicles, charging stations, + infrastructure improvements throughout Tennessee.

• Participated as a member of a national marketing team hired to develop + implement a tech recruitment strategy for Black, Brown + Latinx college aged people. Personally charged with developing a comprehensive paid media, sponsorship + guerrilla tactic approach to drive awareness, increase applicants, + community conversations. 

BAM! SOCIAL BUSINESS, NASHVILLE, TN

CHIEF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST                                                          2009 to 2021

Established and drove triple-digit growth for a boutique marketing agency by providing strategic direction and operational leadership for the business, from devising growth strategy to developing product/service offerings and building a performance-driven team.

• Formulated and implemented innovative sales and client acquisition strategies that resulted in successful engagements with hundreds of large and small businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies as well as ongoing customer loyalty and referrals.

• Developed a comprehensive marketing service portfolio, comprising external and internal communications/marketing campaigns, B2B and B2C GTM strategies, digital campaigns, creative storytelling, brand strategy training, and crisis communications. 

• Built a robust, flexible operational infrastructure underpinned by multiple marketing production processes, detailed SWOT analysis processes, and iterative branding processes to drive corporate development and maximize value and impact for clients. 

• Conceived and delivered cutting-edge omnichannel campaigns and strategic communications initiatives supported by multimillion-dollar ad budgets for clients across industries such as real estate, retail, medical, fintech, and household products.

• Launched and built creative growth strategies and translated them into web, SEO/SEM, database marketing, email, social media (Facebook, Instagram, Youtube), and display advertising campaigns.

• Leveraged market insights to optimize campaign spending and performance while assessing campaign performance against ROI and KPIs, including analytical review of the customer experience across multiple channels, and touchpoints.

• Partnered with internal client teams to devise strategies for strengthening campaign performance and user experience, including identifying critical conversion points/drop-off points and optimization of user funnels.

• Coordinated and managed a 25-member team (with 10 direct reports) and organized unique employee development programs using industry best practices to build MarCom expertise as well as teamwork skills and the ability to communicate clearly.

TORTOISE & BLONDE EYEWEAR

MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST | CO-FOUNDER 2010 - 2012

Co-founded an online-only eyewear company in partnership with an award winning Optometrist and family.

• Developed and executed the go-to-market launch strategy with a six-city media blitz (paid, earned); influencer campaign; public relations strategy for TV, print, and fashion web; retail partnership with a national clothing retailer.

• Designed in-person event launch strategy with SXSW with special event partnerships with top fashion brands

• Instrumental in UX/CX of initial website, online try-on solution; Developed the e-commerce shipping strategy and customer experience with from purchase to fulfillment and follow up.

• Developed partnerships with select optometrists nationwide to become brand partners to enhance customer experience.

WARNER BROS. RECORDS

REGIONAL SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR 2005 - 2009

Executed sales and marketing strategy to grow and maintain artists’ retail presence with key retail, distribution, and advertising partners across the Northeast region, including select independent and national retailers in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

• Supported the Sales and Marketing Director for the Northeast Region to drive physical record sales from Washington D.C. through Maine. Gained extensive retail marketing experience and knowledge of retail business.